THE body of a man was discovered in public toilets at West Cliff, Bournemouth, on Friday evening. 

The grim discovery was made at around 6pm, the time when the toilets are closed to the public by the council.

The cause of death has not yet been revealed, although police believe the man had pre-existing health problems.

Chris Colledge, chairman of the West Cliff Green Residents’ Association and the area’s Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator, said the community was “shocked and saddened” to hear of the death.

“We don’t know the circumstances of the death yet, and so it would be wrong to comment about any issues relating to activity at the toilets, but it’s very sad news,” he said.

“The whole community, including residents and hoteliers, will be shocked. The prayers and thoughts of everyone living here will be with the families and friends of the person who has died.”

The public toilets,located near to the Highcliff Hotel, are well-known to residents as a location for drug taking.

Sharps bins, where drug-users can dispose of needles, can be found inside the men’s facilities.

In June, the Daily Echo reported that rough sleepers were pitching tents at the beauty spot, and drugs and discarded needles could be found nearby, While eight months earlier, 50 syringes were dumped at the toilets.

A 64-year-old Bournemouth woman, who asked not to be named, said: “You do get problems here because of drugs.

“It’s awful to hear that someone has died. It’s a real shock, and I’m very sad at the news.”

A Dorset Police spokesperson said: “The death is not being treated as suspicious and next of kin are being informed.”

The matter has now been passed to the coroner.